adminLeonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North Province has approached the business community to solicit for donations as it seeks to raise $50 000 towards the party’s 16th Annual National People’s Conference slated for December in Masvingo province.
The conference will be held at the Showgrounds from December 13 to 17 under the theme, “Moving with Zim-Asset in Peace and Unity.”
Matabeleland North province has organised a fundraising dinner at Elephant Hills Resort on November 11, and each dinner table costs $20 000 for the platinum category, $15 000 for gold as well as $10 000 and $5 000 for silver and bronze categories respectively.
The party’s provincial fundraising committee chairperson, Cde Stars Mathe, on Friday met players in the tourism industry under the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) as part of the fundraising initiative.
She said she was hopeful that the province would meet its target judging by the usual support from the tourism sector.
“As has always been the norm this time of the year, Zanu-PF holds its conference or congress and you have proven to be our best friends as the tourism industry as evidenced by the successful hosting of two big events last year,” said Cde Mathe.
The provincial fundraising committee chairperson was referring to the hosting of the 21st February Movement celebrations and Zanu-PF 15th Annual National People’s Conference at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls last year.
Cde Mathe said the party and its First Secretary President Mugabe hold Matabeleland North Province in high esteem because of the support the tourism industry gives to the party.
Participants at the meeting, however, complained that other sectors such as construction, transport, banking, retail and small to medium enterprises among others weren’t extending a helping hand.
Cde Mathe said another meeting would be convened with players in those sectors.
“We are going to set another day for them. For now, dinner tables will be open to anyone or any company that may want to buy. You, the tourism and hotel industry, are the engine of our economy in the province. The most important thing is that this fundraising is meant for you and so you should support it and show that you are patriotic and you love your country,” she said.
HAZ Victoria Falls chapter chairman Mr Chris Svovah said the industry was ready to work with the party.
“Our corporate offices have always paid something. We came here as an industry to see how best we can help as individual companies,” he said.—@ncubeleon.
Bongani Ndlovu